Steam-separator.



Patented June 16, 1914.

' 3mm/bola m C. D. MOSHER. STEA'M SEPARATOR. APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 1s, 1912.

C. D. MOSHER.

STEAM SBPARATOR. APLIUATION FILED 110.17.18, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CHARLES D. Mosman, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.

STEAM-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters 'atent.

Patented June 16, 1914.

Application iled November 18, 1912. Serial No. 731,947.

T o all whom t may concern: y

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. MOSHER,

vof New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

rIhis invention relates to a steam separator of the class havingA a conduit or `casing through which the steam passes, combined with means for giving the steam a `spiral movement in its passage so that the mist or entrained water which is carried will be thrown outward by centrifugal forceand trapped and removed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a separator in which the water mist is removed and permanently separated from the steam with greater eiiciency hitherto used.

Another object of the invention is to provide such barrier for the separated water or mist, as to completely isolate the latter, and prevent any portion of it from again reaching the current of steam, further guarding against any forces which might tend to return the mist or water to the steam current. In this way the steam is prevented kfrom again picking up the water after being once separated from 1t.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is compact, taking up but little space, `but which is highly eicient, durable and cheap to construct. i

With these objects in view the invention consists in the improved steam separator hereinafter set forth and claimed.

ln the drawings z-Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a steam separator embodying the principles vof this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical .sectional view of a slightly modied construction also embodying the invention. Fig. 4 is a section on the line lV--IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing an additionally modified construction.

Constructions embodying the invention will include a helical passage for the steam, but in addition to a passage formed helically in accordance with a principle hitherto use.,

than has been possible by devices means are additionally provided by which the water mist or vapor is deflected outward by the action of a diii'erent principle. The new principle involved depends upon the deflecting action of a vane or surface against which the mist laden steam impinges.

The best constructions embodying the invention will include one or more helical passages 1 for the steam, the same being preferably ormed by a double helicoid partition 2 extending through a chamber of the separator casing. A cylindrical chamber 3 is illustrated inthe drawings. The artitions of the helicoids are adapted to de ect the mist laden steam strongly toward the wall 4 of the chamber, by a principle of action entirely independent of centrifugal force. For this purpose the form of the helicoid 2 is distinguished from those in which the radial elementsare normal to the central axis.

In constructions embodying the present invention the radial elements of the helicoid are not normal to the central axis, but present a relation thereto such as to give the steam a strong tendency to be deiected outward toward the wall of the chamber. This is done by making the steam impinge against the surface of the helicoid at a comparatively acute angle, andin such direction that the deflected current will be outward or away from the central axis. In this way two independent forces are brought on the steam, forcing the same outward toward the wall of the separator chamber. It will be understood that these forces act on every particle of steam, and the heavier particles of mist or entrained water are acted upon with a particularly strong force. Since this force, under these circumstances, is appreciably greater than that acting onthe less dense or purely gaseous portions of the steam, the mist or entrained water is separated, flowing farthest outward by reason of the preponderating forces.

For practical purposes the most satisfactory construction will include a helicoid in which the radial elements are inclined to the central axis, the inclination bein considerable and amounting to perhaps fi y or sixty degrees. The form of the separator chamber is adapted to shave ed the particles of mist or entrained water which are crowded closeto the wall in the circular` motion, and

for this purpose a shaving yknife 5 is illustrated. l

An important feature of the invention, however, liesin a vertical separator of high eiiciency, the same being distinguished by the use' of a helicoid as above described, and further by the use of a plurality of shaving knives 5 preferably disposed at equal intervals around the interior wall of the separator chamber, and standing vertical therein. These shaving knives communicate with annular spaces or pockets 6 from which the condensed water flows into a receptacle or trap 7 from which it may be subsequently removed as desired.

Y One source of difficulty in prior steam separators has been that a uantity of water, or else a wet or damp sur?ace, has been exposed to the steam so that even if the latter had a tendency to be dried by the nature of the operation, still it would be given an opportunity to collect water again, and 1n practice the steam does collect water in this way. It is part of the principle of operation of the present invention that the steam is not exposed to any water or wet' surface. In order to bring about this result, the mist which is shaved oil from the steam passesimmediately into a pocket which is wholly inclosed by walls separating such pocket from the chamber through whichthe steam travels. Thus each pocket may be filled with mist and the walls dripping with water, without any tendency to dampen the steam in the central chamber of the sepa'Y rator. Furthermore the pockets drain at the bottom into the lower receptacle 'or trap 7 where the water finally collects. It is obvious that the water in this lower receptacle is entirely out of the way. By theuse of this principle, in combination with the first features described, a separator of very high efficiency is obtained. While the construction may vary somewhat in the principles just referred to, it is desirable to have the features indicated, and further to have a skirt or lhood 8 forming an extension of the inside wall of the chamber 3, this hood flaring outward somewhat into the receptacle or trap7, and overlapping the steam outlet pipe' 9. This providesfor dellectilng any water so faraway from the current of steam that it is impossible for the water to be picked up at the entrance to the outlet pipe. A web or diaphragm 10 may be provided for holding the chamber wall 3 with its extension hood in proper position, thisgdiaphragm having several openingsfll through which the water may' drain freely.

`While t-he invention has been particularly described in a practical construction or constructions in such detail asto enable the same to be practically manufactured and used, it is not desired -that the invention be `partlcularly limited to this exact structure `dial elements of which are or structures since variations may be made without departing from its spirit and scope.

What is claimed is 1. In a steam separator, a chamber having a helical passage for the current of steam, said passage being formed by a continuous helicoid the radial elements of which exx tend away from a direction normal to the central axis being inclined outward in the direction of the current of steam, a plurality of shaving knives disposed around the separat/0r chamber, and means for draining 'and trapping the condensed water.

2. In a steam separator2 a chamber having a helical passage, sa1d passage being ormed by a continuous helicoid the radial elements of which all extend away from a direction normal to the central axis in the direction of the current of steam, a shaving knife, a substantially inclosed pocket into which the mist is deflected by said shaving knife, and'a receptacle for draining and trapping the condensed liquid.

3. In a steam separator, a chamber having a continuous helical passage,- means for deflecting the gaseous current outward therein, a plurality of shaving knives disposed around the separator chamber,` a plurality of independent and substantially inclosed ockets into which the mist is deflected by sai shaving knives, and means for draining and trapping the condensed liquid.

4. In a steam separator, a vertical chamber having a continuous helical passage,

`said passage being formed by a helicoid the radial elements of which are inclined away from a direction normal to the central axis,

'a plurality of shaving knives disposed around the separator chamber, a plurality of independent and substantially inclosed pockets into which the mist is deflected by said shaving knives, 'and means for draining and trapping the condensed liquid.

5. In a steam separator, a vertical chaml ber having a helical passage, said paage being formed by a double helicoid the rainclined away from a direction normal to the central axis, a shaving knife located in the Wall of the separator chamber, a substantially inclosed pocket into which the mist is deected by said shaving knife, and means for draining and trapping the condensed liquid.

6. In a steam separator, a vertical chamber having continuous helical passages, said passages being formed by a double helicoid the radial elements of which are inclined to the central axis, a plurality ofrvertical shaving knives disposed around the separator chamber a pluralit of independent and substantially inclose ypockets into which the mist is deflected by sald shaving knives, and a receptacle communicating with said pockets for draining and trapping the condensed liquid.

7. I'n a, steam separator, a, chamber havrin)T hand, in the presence of two subsorbing ing a, helical passage, a, shaving knife in'the wltnesses. wall of the separator chamber, and a. sln'rt or hood at the lower end of said wall for 5 deectzng the matter separated away from Witnesses:

the gaseous current. E. A. SINGER,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set f Amm W. Pnoc'mn.

CHARLES D. Mosmm 

